The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-30

We all OF us Tue Llne To WOIk Ill dli
these organizations. Most of us have
many duties and interests outside of
the church that necessarily command
much of our time and energy. That
pastor administers wisely who, as a
leader, makes all of his people workers,
and assigns to each a work for which
he has, or may cultivate a taste, or de-
velop talent.
So far, however, as taste or talent
will permit, or can be developed to per-
NIT, and so far as opportunity will al
low, each member of a church should
be inteIligently interested and active in,
and devoted to, the work of every Or
ganization of which the church is COM
posed.
Of the parish organization to promote
the financial welfare, and advance the
solid business interests of the parish, it
may be said in brief not only that bus
mess should be conducted on religious
principles, but that religious establish
ments should be conducted on sound
business principles. Promptness, lib
erality and vigor in the administration
of the business and financial interests
of a church is large factor of true sue
cess.
But we need not dwell here, nor have
we the time to do so, upon the partic-
ular manner in which each particular
organization should be administered.
We prefer to deal with more general
principles of administration.
While the church is composed of all
these varied organizations, as necessity
may require, yet the church organiza-
tion proper should be considered su-
preme in Importance, and all the others
as auxiliary. That church is best adj
ministered which is most constantly
and supremely administered as relig-
ious institution for religious results.
Religion is the best thing we know of
with which to build up a church, and
the Christian religion at that. When
ever the church organization, church
membership and distinctively religious
and Christian life and purposes are
subordinated to the other organizations
and purposes of the church, there is a
bad administration of affairs. When
ever the church degenerates into a
mere social or literary club, or bus
mess institution, or organization for
mere intellectual quickening or enter
tainment, or into schools devoted chiefly
or entirely to teaching something be-
sides the great truths, and spirit, and
life Of the gospel, however good and
n u Cant tfgss other things may Be IN
themselves, it is a perversion and a
mal-administration of the church. Let
nothing be neglected, but let everything
be duly related, and each particular or
ganization energetically worked for the
best possible results, for which it is de.
signed and let all endeavors converge
and culminate in the promotion of
religious life, in the souls progressive
unfolding into that divine order of
thought and affection, of character and
action, revealed in the gospel. Build
up the membership of the church con-
tinually in such ways, and by such work
and influence as shall at the same time
build up the spiritual and devout life
of its members, and make them su-
premely interested and active in pro.
noting the advancement of truth, the
triumphs of righteousness, the honor
and welfare of men. All the church
organizations are for this supreme re-
suit. For this the preacher does his
best and greatest work in the pulpit,
and in his social and pastoral life, and
work and influence outside the pulpit.